Nasal Surgery Pre & Post Care

Downloadable Instructions

The general information and post-operative instructions were carefully written with you in mind. Take the time to read them thoroughly several times. We have found that faithful adherence to the guidelines will give you the smoothest recovery and optimum results. If a question does arise, first refer back to these pages. If you are still uncertain, please call our office.

Items Needed

  • Lab Work
  • Prescription Medications
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Q-tips
  • Gauze sponges 4X4
  • 1” paper tape

Before the Procedure

  1. Be sure to have all your medications and supplies purchased prior to surgery. These include an antibiotic (Keflex or Clindamycin), pain medication (Hydrocodone), anti-nausea (Phenergan), hydrogen peroxide, and q-tips. Start your antibiotic and the SinEcch provided to you the evening prior to surgery.
  2. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your surgery. This includes water and chewing gum.
  3. Please wear clothing to surgery that does NOT go over your head. A button-down or zippered shirt will make it easier to get dressed following surgery.
  4. Shampoo your hair the evening prior to and the morning of surgery. Do not use hairspray or hair gel.
  5. Cleanse your face the morning before surgery. Do not apply moisturizers, powders, or makeup.
  6. Bring your pain and nausea medications with you to surgery.

Post-Operative Care

  1. Restart your antibiotic medication and SinEcch the night of your surgery. Take the antibiotic with a light meal to avoid nausea.
  2. Sleep in a semi-sitting position for 3-5 days following surgery. Propped up on 2-3 pillows or sleeping in a recliner are both acceptable.
  3. Try to suppress any coughing, blowing of the nose, or sneezing for at least 7-10 days after surgery.
  4. Bruising and swelling may occur in the surgical area following the procedure. If bruising develops, it should be gone in 7-14 days. Most swelling is gone in 2 to 6 weeks. Your nose will take up to one year following surgery to achieve its final appearance.
  5. A low-grade fever for the first post-operative days is not abnormal. Take two Tylenol tablets for temperature elevations below 101.5°. If you have a persistent fever over 101.5° call Alabama Surgical Arts.
  6. Keep an ice pack on your nose and eyes for 12 hours following surgery. Avoid pressure on the nasal splint. Avoid getting the splint and nasal dressings wet.
  7. Change your nasal “drip pad” as often as needed. It will not be unusual to do this every hour for the first 8-12 hours after surgery. You may discontinue wearing the drip pad when your drainage stops. If you are saturating your drip pad every 30 minutes call the office.
  8. For the first 10 days after surgery avoids straining and bending over to lift things. This helps prevent swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
  9. Avoid sun exposure as it may cause swelling in 5-10% of patients.
  10. Do not drive if you are taking pain medication.
  11. You may reassume wearing contact lenses 2 days after surgery if swelling around the eyes allows.
  12. Your nasal splint will be removed 7 days following surgery in the office.
  13. You will be given the splint after removal. It will need to be worn when you wear glasses, including sunglasses for 6 weeks after surgery to prevent distortion from eyeglass pressure.
  14. Walking and light activity are permitted 48 hours after surgery. No strenuous exercise (working out, running, weight lifting, etc.) for four weeks after surgery. No contact sports (basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.) for three months after surgery.
  15. Your nose may be congested for 4 to 8 weeks following surgery. This is due to internal swelling. Head elevation and avoidance of salt in your diet will help.

Nose Spray Usage

  1. Afrin is to be used twice a day for the first two days.
  2. If a nosebleed occurs elevate the head and an additional spray of Afrin can be used on each side.
  3. On post-op day three please stop using Afrin.
  4. Begin using ocean nasal spray twice a day on the third day, use this before Flonase. Use this for 2 weeks.
  5. Begin using Flonase twice a day on the third day. Use this after you have used ocean nasal spray in each nose. Use this for 2 weeks.

Nasal Cleaning

Nasal cleaning should be started 24 hours after the surgery. Clean the inside of your nose twice a day for the first month and then once a day for an additional month. Use hydrogen peroxide-soaked q-tips. You will occasionally get large crusts of dried blood loose and or dislodged when cleaning. This is normal. If you notice an odor in your nose increase cleaning to 4 times daily. If the odor persists, contact our office.